THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
ACTING SHADOW MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
NEW ABC CHAIRMAN JUSTIN MILNE
Labor congratulates Justin Milne on his appointment as the new Chairman of the ABC.Mr Milne is certainly qualified for the role given his extensive experience in, and knowledge of, the media industry.
The ABC is a national treasure and one of Australia's most important public institutions. Labor hopes Mr Milne will ensure the organisation continues to set the standard of adaptation in a new media environment, while preserving the traditional aspects of the ABC that are so loved by the Australian people.
At the last election Labor committed to invest $60 million over three years in the ABC to produce local drama so that Australian stories can feature more prominently in the ABCs programming schedule.
This stands in stark contrast to Malcolm Turnbull's record on the ABC. In the unfair 2014 Budget Malcolm Turnbull as Communications Minister broke an election promise and slashed more than $250 million from the public broadcaster, then as Prime Minister he cut more in the 2016 Budget. This has led to the loss of hundreds of jobs at the ABC in recent years.
Given his close relationship with the Prime Minister, Mr Milne is well placed to convince him to properly fund the ABC.
Labor also pays tribute to the outgoing ABC Chairman Jim Spigelman, who was an outstanding leader of the organisation throughout his five year term. His service to the ABC is his latest great work in a career of dedicated service to broadcasting, the arts and civil society.
THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2017
